[Behavior of eosinophilic granulocytes, total IgE and allergen-specific IgE antibodies in atopic neurodermatitis during hospital treatment in the North Sea climate].

Absolute number of eosinophilic leucocytes, total IgE level, and specific IgE antibodies against the environmental antigens cock's foot, house-dust, and house-dust mite (dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) were obtained from 25 patients suffering from atopic dermatitis at the beginning as well as towards the end of hospital treatment in the maritime climate of the North Sea. Initially the absolute eosinophilic leucocytes were increased. According to the improvement of the atopic skin lesions, there was a significant decrease up to normal rates in several cases at the end of hospital treatment. The increased number of eosinophilic leucocytes observed at the beginning of therapy was correlated to the total IgE level. On an average, pathologic initial rates of total IgE going along with acute lesions decreased during hospital treatment; but this observation may be statistically accidental, the cutaneous lesions, however, completely disappeared. Elevated initial rate of antigen-specific IgE antibodies, as well, showed obvious reduction, but they did not reach normal values in any case. According to update knowledge, the IgE level in serum seems to be predominantly controlled by a multifactorial genetic system.